Best Airline Food: 15 In-Flight Meals You'll Actually Want to Eat

Those old jokes about airplane food? They're getting harder to make these days. As passenger tastes change, so do the menus of airline in-flight meals (yes, even in economy class). In fact, it’s the back of the plane that presents the most challenge, and airlines are upping their game to please palates with more than a quick snack. Here are several airline economy meals that go beyond the usual “meat or pasta.”

Alaska Airlines: Cascade Brisket Chili by Chef Tom Douglas

Tom Douglas is one of Seattle's most visible and celebrated chefs. Now, his award-winning cuisine (he's a three-time James Beard winner) can be found in the skies. Alaska Airlines recently began a partnership with Douglas to introduce some of his signature flavors as purchasable meals onboard flights from Seattle, of 2.5 hours or longer.

Courtesy Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand: Red Wine Braised Beef with Polenta

A long flight to or from New Zealand is made better by economy-class menus from Air New Zealand’s Executive Chef Peter Gordon, a celebrated chef with restaurants in both London and Auckland who formulates the menus for each class. One such offering is this substantial main course: red wine braised beef with blue cheese polenta and green beans.

Courtesy Air New Zealand

American Airlines: Chicken Cobb Salad

On domestic flights longer than three hours, American Airlines sells a range of fresh eats more filling than a can of Pringles. The chicken Cobb salad, at $9.49, combines thick slices of chicken breast with romaine lettuce, turkey bacon, corn, tomatoes, and bleu cheese, with ranch dressing on the side.

Courtesy Austrian Airlines

Austrian Airlines: Viennese Schnitzel

Upgrading your meal, but not necessarily your seat, is an option on Austrian Airlines. For an extra €15, economy passengers on long-haul flights may pre-order from a menu of gourmet meals (including classic Viennese Schnitzel with a chocolate mousse dessert) from the chefs of Vienna-based DO & CO. Passengers flying from Austrian’s hub at Vienna Airport may even place an order at the last minute, up to one hour before departure.

Courtesy Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong-style Curry Chicken

Served with steamed jasmine rice, salad, and Haagen-Dazs ice cream for dessert, the curry chicken is one of several economy meals on Cathay to feature traditional Hong Kong flavors. Cathay also keeps various snacks, like hot ramen noodles, available throughout the journey.

Hawaiian Airlines: Loco Moco

As the only U.S. domestic airline still serving complimentary hot meals in economy, Hawaiian Airlines uses this as an opportunity to showcase signature Hawaiian dishes. One such iconic meal is “Loco Moco,” a hamburger patty over steamed white rice, topped with gravy and a sunny side up egg.

Courtesy JetBlue

JetBlue: Kale Salad

Beyond snack boxes of packaged sweet and salty treats, JetBlue’s transcontinental flights from New York-JFK and Boston to San Francisco, Los Angeles-LAX and Long Beach sell fresh-made meals. Some are even healthy—take this salad, which consists of cannellini beans, dried blueberries and cranberries, quinoa, and grape tomatoes over chopped kale and spring greens, topped with white balsamic vinaigrette.

Courtesy JetBlue

JetBlue: Sirloin Sandwich

Cross-country flights warrant a little something more than a tiny bag of potato chips. JetBlue understands this, offering several hearty sandwiches on their routes from from New York-JFK and Boston to San Francisco, Los Angeles-LAX and Long Beach. One offering is this sirloin sandwich, made with top sirloin steak, red-wine caramelized onions, white cheddar, baby spring greens, and horseradish cream on a roll, with a side of quinoa and raisin salad.

Courtesy Lan Airlines

LAN Airlines: Hot Ham and Cheese Breakfast

An economy class breakfast on Chile-based LAN Airlines' long-haul routes is more than a simple croissant and jam; the traditional South American breakfast of meats and cheeses is served as a hot ham and cheese sandwich with a side of seasonal fresh fruit and a hot berry muffin.

Courtesy LAN Airlines

LAN Airlines: Lasagna with Malbec and Flan

This is one instance where you’ll want to choose the pasta, as LAN’s Executive Chef Hugo Pantano develops the recipes for each main dish to pair best with the South American wines onboard, even in economy class. Order the lasagna and a pour of the Argentinean Malbec, and finish it off with sweet flan.

Courtesy Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways: Classic Arabic Mezze

From their base in Doha, Qatar Airways develops menus to showcase both international and Middle Eastern favorites. A passenger favorite around the world is the Arabic Mezze, served in all classes. Economy enjoys hummus, tabouleh, muhammara, and lahim bil agine served with Arabic bread.

Courtesy TAM

TAM: Ravioli and Dulce de Leche Cake

Like its partner airline LAN, Brazil’s TAM pairs comfort classics with South American flavors and robust wines from some of their destination cities. No matter the main dish—although the ravioli pairs excellently with the reds on TAM’s wine menu—save room for the dulce de leche dessert.

Courtesy Virgin America

Virgin America: “Flight Bites” Tapas

Spanish tapas are the inspiration behind Virgin America’s boxed variety of light and fresh salads, complimentary to Main Cabin Select flyers and for sale in the main cabin. The selection changes with the seasons, but options have included edamame and ginger tartar with ponzu dressing, mozzarella and roasted tomato with capers, Lebanese chickpea salad, and Spanish chicken and artichoke salad.

The littlest flyers aren’t forgotten on Virgin Atlantic, as the airline recently called upon British celebrity chef Lorraine Pascale to develop “fresh, nutritious, and simple meals with a home-cooked feel” for children traveling in economy class. The “Marvellous Mac N Cheese” with pancetta is the far and away favorite, but children may also chose tender chicken strips and pea mash, sweet and sour pork, or “Mum’s chilli con carne” with calypso rice.